All the instantaneous travel was starting to give him a headache. He found himself in a richly decorated building. The walls were carved wood and covered with art, armor and what looked to be trophies from hunts. There were chairs that looked to be designed for looks more than comfort and tables along the sides of the room. Towards the back of the room there was a long counter that had room for many people to work.

The only people in the room were a single person that stood behind the counter and another that rudely pushed past him as he struggled to get his bearings.

"Out of the way plebeian"

da hell is his problem

The man was as richly dressed as the room they were in. He wore a metal Chest plate and greaves that were well polished, on top of brightly colored tunic and dark pants. The hilt of the sword on his waist was adorned with Jewels.

"Excuse me but he was here ahead of you so you will have to wait your turn". The other man didn't even bother to look back at him before dismissing him and finishing his way to the counter. He shook his head as he started to speak.

"I'll forgive you because clearly you ain't aware of who I am. You see I am from the Bolton family, Yes the same family that was responsible for saving the Kingdom by holding the western wall against the orc onslaught. Who have now graciously allowed you to train me, a favored son. Now I know you must be wondering why such a great family as ours would send one of..."

what are the chances I get to never see this guy again

"their most promising sons to House Trezon instead of their traditional partner House Steelwood. One of the High Houses who have trained a great many of the kingdom's greatest heroes. My family's generosity of course. They knew that Just one of their sons would be enough to elevate this house. Now I don't know about this man in such a plain, and oddly short, robe but surely you don't mean to imply his time is more valuable than someone who will elevate your entire house."

Holy info dump. I still don't actually know who he is though.* And does the length I made my robe really stand out that much? How do they not trip over it when it's long?

"I would never dismiss the greatness of your family nor the contribution you yourself will make Paul Bolton...."

Hey a name finally, now to see if I can actually remember it.

"However, the only person that would have shifted someone into this room is the chancellor, so I'll show him the greatest courtesy, simple robes or not."

In a huff the man.....

(Narrator thoughts) no use his name or you will end up forgetting it

In a huff Paul stood to the side. David Just stood there, not moving until he was beckoned over. The person at the counter was wearing a robe. He tried to get a look of the length over the counter but he felt that would be considered rude so he gave up after only a moment.

*Their robe has some nice embroidery on it but it's just so drab. Mine might be plain but at least it's a pretty green.

"Hello, May I have your name?"

"sure. Its David."

"And your family name?"

"NA.'

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance David Na."

"Actually it's.. never mind."

They hesitated for the briefest moments before continuing, He hoped there wasn't an actual Na family but he couldn't find the ability to prolong this beyond the bare minimum.

"The assessment won't be until tomorrow so you will have today to get settled into your rooms."

They stared at him expectantly. Clearly accustomed to receiving questions or demands at this point. He wondered about where he was, He wondered if he actually needed to do another assessment. The most important thing he wondered though was...

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Where might I find this room?"

They raised a hand away from the other two people in the room. An orb formed then slowly floated away from their hand. fading away it revealed a small Pixie like creature.

"If you follow my summon they will lead You to your room.'

As the pixie darted towards the door, His eyes met the summoners and they mouthed the words thankyou. He supposed they must have thought he was doing them a favor with how fast he left as opposed to just trying to get away.

He turned to follow the pixie creature. Paul was clearly engrossed in the creature. So much so that he was forgetting to scowl. Either the doors were automatic or the Pixie could open doors with its mind because it opened as he approached.

He found himself in a hallway full of doors and not a single window. it only just occurred to him that there hadn't been a single window in the room he had just left. He idly wondered and hoped they were underground as they walked or flew to their destination. So lost in his thoughts was he, that the Pixie startled him when it talked.

Standing in front of a random door that looked exactly like the rest.

"Here are your rooms, would you like me to give you a tour?"

After taking a moment to get over his shock. He said yes and they entered.

The room they entered was far larger than he had expected and it was obviously just a sitting room of some sort. Already furnished with an assortment of chairs and small tables all carefully angled towards the only small couch in the room.

"How many people will be staying here with me?"

The thought of being confined in here with others was already making him uncomfortable. He always liked to have his space alone and after so long in seclusion he wasn't ready to give it up,

"I should fit however many retainers you wish to bring reasonably well. There are four bedrooms besides yours and the traditional beds can be replaced with bunks if need be."

They said they were going to give me the same courtesy as if I was a nobel. Which means they were really saying my rooms. I don't have any stuff for all this space.

The pixie continued on to the next room which was a weird room. Just ahead was a set of double doors with alot of ornamentation. To the right there was a simple door, to the left was a narrow hallway with five doors.

"straight ahead is your bedroom. to the left are the rooms for your retainers along with their washroom. And lastly to the right is your kitchen?

He walked into the kitchen first. Not that he was hungry or ever expected to be hungry again, but because he was curious what a kitchen in another world would be like. He spent so much of his last life in one he was eager to compare.

It was remarkably boring. A small room with what looked like a couple of burners, an oven, a sink, and some cabinetry. He was curious if any of it had magics for refrigeration but didn't bother inquiring. Instead he just left to head down the hallway.

Each of the rooms were the same and were simply furnished with a chair, desk, and bed. Their shared bathroom was equally as simple with just a toilet and shower stall.

Finally entering his room he was taken aback by the size. It was easily a third of the size of the rest of the place and he could see two more doors. A massive bed was along the far wall. To his left was a couple of chairs and a table. to his right were bookshelves.

Going through the first door he found himself in a closet that was probably bigger than the workers rooms. Through the other he found a massive bath, there was a toilet and shower as well but the bath was of a size he could swim in it.

Once that thought occurred to him it was hard to focus on anything else. He needed to be in that water. Steam was coming off of it but his mastery of fire should spare him of any ill effects from the heat. Barely Resisting the urge to make the pixie leave right then.

"What can you tell me about the assessment tomorrow?"

"First you will hit a bunch of dolls with melee weapons as they attack you and then you strike a channeling crystal with a magical spell."

"How many dolls do people defeat on average? How does the crystal measure magic?."

"You don't really defeat the dolls, the better you do the harder they get. And the crystal channels the magic to other crystals that light up."

"How many crystals do people make light up?"

"between two and four is passing I think. I am really better at answering questions about the room."

"Thank you. You have been a big help. if it's customary to tip or something I am afraid I have no money."

"A drop of mana is common, but by no means a requirement."

He thought the pixies face looked expectant and not wanting to cause problems he willed a single point of mana from himself. As he moved it over to the pixie it consumed it eagerly. He wasn't sure but he thought its flight began to waver.

"I think I am all set now."

He walked the wobbly pixie to the door. Seeing the door open and close without using the knob again made him uncomfortable so he walled off the door with stone, doing likewise with the hallway and the kitchen he had no need for. Lastly walling off the doors to his bedroom once he passed through them.

Having never thought about ever having a need to take off his robe, it didn't really have that feature. He knew he could tap back into the magic and try to make the neck not quite so snug but that would have meant even longer away from the pool hath so he slipped in, robe and all.